Bell Park has been home to the World School Sevens, one of the country's biggest sevens tournaments, for many years now – this weekend will see the debut of the mighty green and orange hoops on the field. 

Pakuranga Koru United will be one of 21 boys teams in the tournament this Saturday and Sunday at the club, alongside some of the best emerging international sevens talent from around the globe. 

With a rich history of sevens success at Pakuranga, the team is coached by Sani Sanileva, Aula Silipa and Alesio Petelo and have been training for a few weeks in preparation. 

Pakuranga’s Director of Rugby Grant Henson said it has always been a goal to have on-field involvement in the tournament and the club was given that invitation this year. 

“We have a strong coaching team from the club and knew we could identify a group of players to create a competitive team. 

“The aim is to give as many local players as possible a great opportunity – and they don’t come much better than a tournament of this standing. We have former Pakuranga juniors, a number of local talent mixed with a few players from further afield that we hope might have a future at the club,” said Henson. 

The team is named Pakuranga Koru United, pulling from the koru in the Pakuranga United Rugby Club crest. The koru symbolises new life, growth, strength and peace. 

“This is significant to this team as we want to bring new life (secondary school players) into our club to grow them on a world stage which will hopefully give them strength in their careers moving forward, and be at peace with the players they have combined with and play against for their future endeavours,” said Henson. 

The team are drawn against Bay of Plenty club Rangataua and the Tonga Barbarians in pool play – the top two sides will make it through to the round of 16. 

The Pakuranga Koru United is; 

Anton Ameke Edgewater College 

Louie Ballan Kings College 

Levi Gwynne Kings College 

Rico Kihi Wesley College 

Jakin McCabe Howick College 

Slade McKay Waiuku College 

Callum Murray Kings College 

Daniel James- Nanai Kings College 

Manchester Ofisa Pakuranga College 

Cruiz Overend Howick College 

Elkanah Petelo Macleans College 

Nicholas Petelo Macleans College 

Toaiti Ramsay Pukekohe High School 

Mario Vakauta Tamaki College 

The team will be managed by Dean Thomas 

Draw 

9.22am Pakuranga Koru United v Rangataua (field 3) 

12.42pm Pakuranga Koru United v Tonga Barbarians (field 2)

Article added: Tuesday 13 December 2022